'The Hunger Games' trailer shows key moments

The movie adaptation of 'The Hunger Games' will be coming to theaters on March 23.

HOEP/Lionsgate/AP

View Caption

For fans who were disappointed by that first teaser trailer of “The Hunger Games” – less than a minute long – the full theatrical trailer has now arrived.

The movie version of "The Hunger Games," the first book in Suzanne Collins’ wildly popular young adult trilogy, is due to be released March 23, 2012, with “X-Men: First Class” actress Jennifer Lawrence playing the main character of Katniss Everdeen.

Katniss is a 16-year-old who volunteers to take her younger sister’s place in the Hunger Games – the cruel contest set up by the government of the dark, dystopian realm that dominates the world in Collins' trilogy. The government requires two teenagers from each of the country's 12 districts to participate in a series of deadly games. Only one participant will survive.

What is shown in the trailer? Most of the “reaping” ceremony, in which a chirpy government official named Effie Trinket (Elizabeth Banks) picks the names of the boy and girl who will participate in the Games. (Poorer children have a better chance of being picked, since their families get extra grain and oil each time they put their names in the hat.) The trailer also shows the moment that Katniss’ little sister Prim’s name is chosen, which causes Katniss to volunteer in her place. Once chosen, we see Katniss going onstage with her neighbor – now her competitor – Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson).

Also included is: a scene of Katniss in the woods with her friend and hunting partner Gale (Liam Hemsworth); Katniss being made over for the Games by her stylist Cinna (Lenny Kravitz – yes, you read that right); Stanley Tucci as the eccentric journalist Caesar Flickerman interviewing Katniss and Peeta; and Donald Sutherland as the cunning President Snow. There are quick glimpses of the opulent Capitol, where Katniss is groomed to be the perfect Hunger Games contestant, as well as the contestants training – and keep your eye out for contestant Rue, who reminds Katniss of her younger sister.

Oh, and try to stop your pulse from racing in those last moments that show Katniss waiting on a platform for the beginning of the Games and the contestants’ frantic race into the woods.